Mar 18, 2026
Emergency fire crews in Custer County are working to contain a fire on CR 182 off Verdemont, northwest of Westcliffe.Officials say that the fire was caused by an Aspen tree falling onto a power line. The power lines have automat ic settings to try to reconnect power, which led to the fire starting.According to CCSO, the automatic reconnect feature on the power lines will be disabled for the remainder of the fire season.As of Thursday morning, the fire was 75% contained, but has grown to 80 acres. Crews are working around the clock to further contain the fire before winds pick up in the afternoon.There is expected to be worse fire danger on Saturday.The fire was 10% contained on Wednesday night, according to the Custer County Sheriff's Office, and was estimated at 60 to 80 acres. The sheriff's office originally stated that there was 80% containment; this was incorrect and was updated to 10%.EVACUATION INFORMATIONPines Ranch and Spread Eagle neighborhoods will be open to residents at noon on Thursday, but are asked to stay in the "ready" stage for evacuation.15 homes in the area remain under mandatory evacuation, and deputies are assisting to escort residents to gather supplies and remove their pets.Mandatory Evacuations (South of the fire): County Road 170 County Road 179 Chalice Dr Chalice RdPre-Evacuation / Standby (North of the fire): Verdemont residences County Road 182The blaze has prompted a multi-agency response, with fire crews from as far as Salida assisting, and has been elevated to a Type 4 incident. The sheriff's office says investigators with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) and the United States Forest Service (USFS) are working to determine the cause of the fire.The Colorado DFPC had received a request for a Multi-Mission Aircraft (MMA). Following that request, the division has four aircraft on scene on Wednesday.The CCSO says that an evacuation notice has been sent to homes within two miles of the fire via Everbridge.All homes within the evacuation zone were successfully evacuated, but officials say there are 98 structures within the zone.Sheriff's deputies are going house to house to check for anyone in the area, but say many of the homes are second vacation homes.As of 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, the fire had grown to approximately 59 acres, up from the original 20-acre estimate.CCSO says that they will know more after the MMA flight.The Saddle Club is available to house evacuated livestock, and Lange Hall is the current shelter for evacuated families.Officials say that there is an ongoing investigation into the fire, and the cause is currently unknown.This is an ongoing situation, and we will continue to release information as it becomes available.Custer, El Paso, Fremont, and Teller Counties use Everbridge to reach community members during an emergency. To sign up in Custer and Fremont Counties, click here. To sign up in El Paso and Teller Counties, click here.The 911 authority says that a new partnership with the ReachWell app will allow Peak Alerts to integrate seamlessly and allow for 130 different language translations. Reachwell does not require users to make an additional account or personal information to receive the alerts.Once you have downloaded the ReachWell app follow these steps to get Peak Alerts through the App:1. Download the ReachWell App wherever you download apps or visit rwell.us/ElPasoCO and accept push notifications2. Select Preferred Language3. Add Peak Alerts_______Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with our free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching. ...read more read less
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